Leadership Behavioral Analysis. Evaluation of the Research Methodology - Essay Example

?Evaluation of the Research Methodology 8th, December, Evaluation of the Research Methodology In the doctoral study on E-leadership for project managers as a situational leadership and virtual project success, Lee (2010) used concurrent triangulation mixed methods. Leadership Behavioral Analysis II-Self (LABII-Self) survey was one of the methods and was used in assessing Project Management Professionals (PMPs). The study entailed statistical as well as qualitative surveys conducted on a sample of project managers. Qualitative and quantitative methodologies were used to analyze how the managers used situational leadership in project management. Johnson, Onwuegbuzie and Turner (2007) consider Concurrent Triangulation Mixed Method Design as appropriate research method since it enables the researcher to collect qualitative and quantitative data simultaneously. Moreover, the researcher is able to use qualitative data in validating the quantitative data resulting in reliable findings (Driscoll, Appiah-Yeboah, Salib, & Rupert, 2007). Appropriateness of the Data Collection and Analysis Methods Used For the Study The research study used both qualitative and quantitative research methodology (hybrid) and what the author refers as Concurrent Triangulation Mixed Methods Design. This entailed more than two methods in collection and analysis of data. Although qualitative and quantitative research methodologies are considered different in terms of epistemology and ontology, they ensure completeness and validness in data collection and analysis. The data used for quantitative study was collected through online surveys using scales. Using of scale is an appropriate method for online data collection since it yields numeric data, which is easily analyzed quantitatively. However, qualitative data was collected through online survey where open-ended questions were used. Open-ended questions are appropriate for collection of qualitative data since they enable the participants to give additional information, which supports the numeric data. Blending qualitative and quantitative data collection methods was appropriate since the data collected of greater value. By using the open questions, it is possible to validate the credibility of the data collected through the online scales (Lee, 2010). Blending qualitative and quantitative data collection technique is advantageous since results obtained using one of the methods can be triangulated using the other method. By using quantitative techniques, the researcher was able to obtain data that was used to test the research hypotheses. The data collected through qualitative techniques was used open the study since it provided insights on the other aspects interconnected in the study (Driscoll, Appiah-Yeboah, Salib, & Rupert, 2007). Scaling, which was used for quantitative data collection, was disadvantageous since it could not have reflect diverse observations of the data. By using open-ended surveys, which is a qualitative methodology, the researcher was able to explore situational leadership and project success. The above aspects are quite complex hence hard to explore using quantitative techniques. This is because it is hard to measure leadership and project success quantitatively since such aspects are better explained in details other than numeric. Such explanations constitute qualitative analysis (Lee, 2010). Using both qualitative and quantitative methodologies was a great idea. Quantitative method is the major method used for data analysis. However, qualitative data is used to support the quantitative data. In some instances, data collected using qualitative strategies such as open surveys is likely to be biased. However, collecting more data using quantitative methodology and analyzing it can enable the researcher to determine the credibility of the data. For example, in Lee (2010) study, the answers obtained from the open interviews showed that most manager interviewed had used situational leadership techniques. However, the data collected quantitatively did not support the managers’ suppositions. Therefore, the author was able to understand that the data collected had limitation and recommended for further research regarding effectiveness of e-leadership in virtual project management. Therefore, the research design was consistent with the methods chosen (Lee, 2010). However, the author should have explained how biasness was avoided, given that the surveys were submitted online and were self-administered. Therefore, there was likelihood of some participants failing to understand the research question of giving biased answers. Biasness was possible since some managers would be tempted to demonstrate their expertise by giving false information. Therefore, the author should have explained how such biasness was avoided (Driscoll, Appiah-Yeboah, Salib, & Rupert, 2007). The advantage of mailing the research questions to the participants was that it would give the participants enough time to answer the questions. However, online surveys are likely to result in several errors. Scaling, which was another technique used in the study results in data, which cannot be easily interpreted (Lee, 2010). The data needed to answer the research question was collected appropriately. However, there was no adequate use of secondary data collection techniques. The author fails to expound on the existing literature regarding virtual project managers. Considering the extensive nature of the study the author would have included enough literature review. This would have provided insights on the available information on the research and contribution of the study in extending knowledge in the field of virtual management (Driscoll, Appiah-Yeboah, Salib, & Rupert, 2007) Semi-structured interviews that were used in qualitative survey are limited because the dependability of the questions cannot be established. Reliability of Sampling and Other Data collection Methods Used The group under study was quite large since the research targeted project managers. The research used the criteria of involving managers drawn from Project Management Institute (PMI) who have participated in management of virtual projects in addition to having completed PMI PMP designation. This was insightful since it ensured that the group used met the requirements of the study, which was aimed at exploring use of E-Leadership in management of virtual projects (Lee, 2010). Obtaining the participants by sampling from PMI was perceptive. This is because PMI is a recognized international organization with over 307,000 members. Moreover, the members are drawn from more than 170 countries across the globe. Therefore obtaining samples from such an organization ensured that the sample was representative of the population under study. Use of complex probability sampling increased the chances of obtaining a representative sample in addition to making the research cost effective (Johnson, Onwuegbuzie, & Turner, 2007). However, choosing to obtain a sample from a single organization could result in under representation of some countries or regions where virtual project managers are not members of PMI. Moreover, members of PMI are mainly from technologically advanced countries. Therefore, the study would not demonstrate the view of virtual managers from countries that are still in the process of adopting technologies such as virtual management. Moreover, a sample of about 200 virtual managers is not likely to represent the underlying population. (Lee, 2010). However, stratified sampling that was used to segregate the research population into subpopulations ensured that members of PMI with different level of experience were represented. The researcher emailed the surveys to participants. Bernardin and Cooke (2004) criticized use of self-administered reports in research since they are likely to yield biased results. This often results in similarity of answers. Moreover, respondents are likely to misinterpret the questions and give ambiguous answers resulting in unreliable or even inapplicable findings. Therefore, it would have been more appropriate if the author made use of leader behavioral instruments in data collection. This would have resulted d in more valid data (Driscoll, Appiah-Yeboah, Salib, & Rupert, 2007). Data Organization and Analysis Techniques In case of qualitative data, the researcher used Leadership Behavioral Analysis II-Self (LABII-Self) in assessment of Project Management Professionals (PMPs). This made it easy for tracking of changes emerging with change in leadership style. Additionally, the research analyzed 74 surveys (Lee, 2010).This ensured that the analysis was inclusive and representative of the target population. Additionally, it enabled the researcher to establish the relationship between the success on virtual project management and usage of e-Leadership style. The relationship was clearly demonstrated in the research findings. Therefore, LABII was an effective strategy since it enabled the researcher address the research question. For the qualitative data, the research used correlation analysis technique. By combining both qualitative and quantitative techniques, a clear relationship between e-leadership and virtual project management was established (Johnson, Onwuegbuzie, & Turner, 2007; Driscoll, Appiah-Yeboah, Salib, & Rupert, 2007) The results obtained were relevant and answered the research question. Indeed, use of triangulation mixed methods enabled the researcher to obtain consistent results and analyze them in an organized manner. However, the sampling techniques threatened the validity of the data. This is because it was hard for the researcher to determine the independence, honesty, as well as diligence of the interviewees. This could have been the reason why the researcher obtained qualitative findings that were quite different from the quantitative results (Driscoll, Appiah-Yeboah, Salib, & Rupert, 2007). Summary Concurrent triangulation is an appropriate research methodology since it incorporates both qualitative and quantitative strategies. This enables the researcher to cross-validate the findings increasing their validity and reliability. Quantitative methodologies are used to collect numeric data, which can be substantiated further by making use of data collected qualitatively. In the study on the effectiveness of e-leadership in project management, the quantitative data was collected through online scaling while self-administered surveys were used to collect qualitative data. The quantitative data formed the basis of the study but was reinforce using qualitative data. Scaling has its limitation since it makes it hard for the researcher to interpret the answers, which are often given in ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ response. Additionally, self-administered surveys are likely to yield biased data since the participants may not understand the questions appropriately. Moreover, the likelihood of false information is increased when using self-administered surveys. However, using scaling and survey was appropriate in this study since it enabled the researcher to collect a wide range of data at reduced cost. Since the survey questions were closely related to the hypotheses, the data collected was helpful and answered the research question. Additionally, using both qualitative and quantitative research techniques enabled the researcher to acknowledge the limitations of the data collected and recommend for further research on the issues of effectiveness of e-leadership in virtual project management. Therefore, the author used qualitative and quantitative analysis or the triangulation in data collection and analysis to enhance validation and completeness of the data. References Bernardin, H. J., & Cooke, D. K. (2004). Review of the Leader Behavior Analysis II. Driscoll, D., Appiah-Yeboah, A., Salib, P., & Rupert, D. (2007). Merging Qualitative and Quantitative Data in Mixed Methods Research: How To and Why Not. Ecological and Environmental Anthropology, 3(1), 19-28. Johnson, R. B., Onwuegbuzie, A. J., & Turner, L. A. (2007). Toward a definition of mixed methods research. Journal of Mixed Methods Research, 1(2), 112–133. doi:10.1177/1558689806298224 Lee, M. R. (2010). E-leadership for project managers: A study of situational leadership and virtual project success (Capella University). ProQuest Dissertations and Theses, 199-n/a. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/717581516?accountid=45049. (717581516). Mental Measurements Yearbook. Retrieved from http://web.ebscohost.com Read More